Qatar Tourism visits Port Sultan Qaboos to exchange experiences in the cruise sector

A Qatari delegation, led by representatives from Qatar Tourism and the Ministry of Interior, and members of the Permanent Committee for the Management of Sea Ports and Passports, Mwani Qatar and the General Authority of Customs, concluded a visit to Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat recently. These meetings provided a platform to explore ways of collaboration, exchange best practices in logistics and port management, and discuss strategies to enhance the cruise tourism experience. Commenting on the visit, Omar Al Jaber, Head of Tourism Development at Qatar Tourism, said: “Our visit to Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat was an opportunity to network with our Omani counterparts and exchange in-depth knowledge in key operational areas including immigration and customs, terminal logistics and passenger services. By sharing experiences and consolidating best practices, we are committed to improving Qatar’s cruise experience and strengthening regional cooperation to achieve sustainable growth in the cruise tourism sector.” During the discussions, the Qatari delegation addressed key operational areas, including passport and customs procedures, station operations and logistics, and the roles and responsibilities of tour operators and ship agents. The attendees also discussed ways to enhance cooperation, strengthen bilateral relations and develop the cruise sector in both countries. The visit was carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman, where the delegation held high-level meetings with Omani officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Transport, the Royal Oman Police and the port operator (Asyad).  Qatar’s cruise sector has become a key focus of Qatar Tourism’s strategy, with consistently strong growth rates in recent years. During the 2024-2025 season alone, Doha Port is expected to welcome more than 90 cruise ships, as Qatar Tourism plans to further strengthen its cooperation with international cruise lines and ports, which is key to driving the future growth of Qatar’s tourism sector and contributing to Qatar’s economic diversification efforts.